The DNA binding activity of the paired box transcription factor Pax-3 is rapidly downregulated during neuronal cell differentiation.
Mutations in the murine Pax-3 gene lead to a range of developmental abnormalities including deficiencies in sensory and sympathetic neurones. We have investigated Pax-3 expression during neuronal differentiation and show levels of Pax-3 DNA binding decrease upon cell cycle arrest and morphological differentiation. The fall in Pax-3 DNA binding occurs within 1 h of the induction of differentiation and is mediated in part by a decrease in Pax-3 mRNA. This decrease in Pax-3 binding activity precedes any changes in cell proliferation or morphology, suggesting that the downregulation of this transcription factor may be an important prerequisite for the differentiation of neuronal progenitor cells.
Reeves
F C
FC
Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, UK.
Fredericks
W J
WJ
Rauscher
F J
FJ
Lillycrop
K A
KA
D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D002460:Cell Line; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C068686:Pax3 protein, mouse